On top of the gravel we laid a DPM plastic which was to go below the polystyrene sheets. We had to run to collect concrete blocks and block cut-offs to hold down the DPM from waving around and flying away in the wind before laying the polystyrene with blocks on top too.

Next we bent the D12 steel reinforcing rods down, as well as cutting and bending new D12 rods that would act as perimeter rods. On top of the bars we laid the steel mesh on top, and cut to size for the flooring. We then tied it all together using steel ties and nibs.

Lastly the truck brought in a finer metal aggregate which would we had about a 50mm layer of, which was compacted to 50mm from the top (approximated from a 45 x 90 timber block placed flat on the perimeter of the floor). We then spread the aggregate evenly to compact and level.

Preparing the foundations for concrete pouring, the gravel needed to be poured on in layers and then compacted. This continued until the gravel was compacted and leveled to about 75mm from the top of the concrete block footings.

While we were working on the prefabrication of the build at the workshop at Unitec, on site excavation and the footings were being put down. When we turned up it was ready for us to prepare for concrete pouring. First we started with clean up and disassembling the stringline timber boundary...

Today we made a special visit to Blum who kindly sponsored us their kitchen fittings such as our cabinetry hinges, to drill the holes for the hinges to be attached to. Luckily despite the bad weather none of the gaboon for the kitchen cabinets got wet nor weather-damaged.

Today we picked up the kitchen cabinetry we had CNC routed by rainbow furniture. After arriving we realised that the cabinets would be a giant jigsaw puzzle to put together as there were many pieces. Transporting them back to the workshop at UNITEC so that we could assemble them off site.

In order to continue with the internal work on the bathroom pod we need to create a weather tight environment so we could ensure that the moisture levels inside the bathroom were kept at an acceptable level for the pre lining inspection. To do this we needed to install a temporary roof on the...

Today we set out to build the only ceiling in the house which is located in the bathroom. The rest of the house will have the exposed underside of the SIPs roofing panels although the bathroom will require additional bracing while being transported so a ceiling was necessary to provide the...

The joinery arrived on site and some of the students began painting the jamb liners to prepare the units for installation into our pre fabricated walls. Once the painting was complete we we able to drill pilot holes for fixing and place the units into the walls. Now with the windows in we can...

After the concrete had set we began removing the boxing from the sides of the concrete slab in order to let it cure and so we could continue wetting the slab during this process. We also began raising the walls on the bathroom pod so that we could start cladding the exterior in preparation for the...

For the past few weeks the team has been working on the exterior cladding of the house. This has involved cutting, routing, priming, painting, putting the flashings in place and nailing. Accuracy and keeping the walls in square is key to the house being able to fit together properly when we...

The concrete truck was coming early so the boys had an even earlier start to the day - everyone in a rush to get the precast construction ready for pouring.They had constructed a temporary roof that will cover the concrete while it is drying. This is to protect it from Auckland's schizophrenic...

A 5am start before sunrise, we all met up at Orakei on site for a traditional Maori blessing of the land where we would eventually assemble our house.At sunrise we all met up again to begin working on setting up string lines, preparing the excavation lines for digging.

A question was asked about the pre cast concrete we have been working on as to what exactly was the pre cast concrete for.To clarify it is the floor of the bathroom and laundry.These are some drawings that illustrate the area that is the concrete slab we are pouring off site and how it will be...

The team continued work on the wall panels by fixing support bars for the windows in the openings as well as started to clad the external walls on the north and south façades.This cladding process involved painting the wall panels, laying and fixing the 'z' and head flashings we had made for the...

Over the last few days we have been working on the steel reinforcing in the pre cast concrete slab. This was a difficult process to get right and took some time to complete the many links and ties to construct the cages of steel.After we had completed this the engineer came to site to check that...

While some students carried on with the exterior cladding, others began building the formwork of a pre cast concrete slab. This slab will form the floor of our bathroom and laundry which will be built as a 3d module off site. This module will then be taken to site and connected with the main slab...

Before we could fix any RAB board to the wall frames we needed to check that the wall was square and had not grown due to creeping measurements as we constructed it. Once we had check these we were able to apply RAB board to the exterior face of the walls in place of standard building paper. All...

With only a few wall frames left to complete we are almost done with the first step of the prefabrication process. Next we will move onto fixing rab board to the frames which will replace building paper. This is to ensure each wall panel is braced while being transported to site and erected. We...

Today we started the first step in our construction phase of studio 19. We began the day with a tutorial by James from crate construction on how to frame a wall. He went through nailing and cutting techniques, as well as important things to think about while framing the wall. We then proceeded to...

Tuesday 30th September 2014 [Preparing for the Kaumatua Hui at an SGA meeting room]Today, five of us sixteen students had the job of presenting our project to not only the board of directors and kaumatua representatives, but to the entire group of...

Today we met at the UNITEC workshop where we will be prefabricating much of the building ready to transport and assemble on site. Sadly there has been a delay with the construction contract that will not be signed until Friday the 20th.Instead of completely losing a week worth a work we began...

The next step in our preparation for the build phase of the project was to familiarise ourselves with the tools we would be using. Dave shared his knowledge with us a showed us the correct was to use the tools as well as explaining the dangers of the tools we were using. Some of the students had...

Before we were able to start building our design we had to take part in a site safety course. This was a good opportunity to get your head in the game! There are many hazards present on a construction that you need to be aware of. Main lesson was to be aware of your surroundings and to look out...

Friday August 1st, 2014Hoorah!Building consent was approved! We have to wait a while until we start building, but the hard yards are finally over! Now we look forward to steel cap boots, safety glasses, ear muffs with a kitted out tool belt and hammer in hand. No more long hours of what it feels...

Wednesday 4th June, 2014From Resource Consent to Building Consent, it's now down to the nitty gritty for our kaumatua house, the aim being to make it a buildable and plausible design. Our four teams continue to work on the four core areas, thus making our own groups: the floor team, the roof...

About this Blog

Studio 19 is a collaboration between UNITEC and Strachan Group Architects (SGA). Third year architecture students are given the opportunity to work along side SGA to design, document and build a project.
The Brief from Ngāti Whātua O Ōrākei was to design of a master plan of eight houses for elderly tribe members. One of these houses is to be documented and built by the students.